July 18, 2012

Day Trip - Manor Ghost Town

by Heidi Gollub, Free Fun in Austin

J. Lorraine Ghost Town in Manor is a pretty amazing place to explore with kids. Located just 12.5 miles northeast of Austin, J. Lorraine Ghost Town is a re-created version of a town that once stood just a few miles from present day Manor, Texas. According to the Facebook page, the town was a neutral territory for outlaws and lawmen alike until it was burned by outraged moral citizens from nearby.

Ghost Town is officially open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and if you visit on those days you can often enjoy live music and movies on the big outdoor screen. As long as the town has not been rented for an event, Ghost Town is free and open to the public. If you visit during the week, you will be able to wander around the town, but there will likely be no staff on-site and some doors may be locked. When we last visited, my boys and I had the place entirely to ourselves. The kids had a great time peeking inside "abandoned" buildings, even playing the piano inside the deserted Saloon!

In addition to the many buildings, there is a wooden playscape and a maze made of fences. The maze is conveniently located next to restrooms, which I recommend visiting before heading into the "cute little maze" as you may be surprised at just how long it takes you to find your way out of there!

For more information about Ghost Town, visit the website or the Facebook page. For information about upcoming free movie screenings, email jlorrainetx@aol.com. For information about upcoming events, call Melanie at 512-922-2683. It would be a good idea to check that the facility has not been rented for an event before heading over there. As long as it has not been booked, you are free to visit and roam around, even when no one is on site. Ghost Town just requests that you not bring beer or wine on the property. What you should bring is your camera and, if you go this week, some boots! I hear it's a bit muddy over there after all the rain.